09-18-2021, 07:45 AM
You should try things. Build a model not released by any model train company or one you can't find or afford. I would guess this method is called modeling. Model train people have always made something else from something they had. Some model train people just had ideas and made something from stuff, wood, paper, cardstock, cardboard, and plastic shapes. Taking something that looks like something and turn it into something else is a natural thing to do.
I seen this old lithograph of a 1840 view of a turntable, round house, locomotive manufacturing building, with a peak between two buildings showing a depot in the distance, off of Washington street in Jersey City. The depot was my first look at the first depot on the Hudson river across from New York City. I got curious and started looking for more info and something happened. I became a researcher. I thought you needed some kind of recognition or diploma from some great researching place. Naaaa! All you need is to be is noisy and inquisitive and keep looking.
Well I found a 1834 view, 1836 view, and others. At first the depot was just a long three track train shed, next a head house is added, one which is a two story building with a gabled roof and a bell tower with a Roman like battlement detail to its roof edge. Next a 1844 view of the depot head house is converted into a Greek temple like structure with a flat roof still two stories high with a different style of bell tower. A lot fancier one. also by 1848 2 more tracks have been added to the train shed on it north side. These new tracks are enclosed to protect patrons from the elements as they leave the train, also Hudson street has been closed and a sheltering structure is built connecting the railroad depot to the ferry depot What railroad in 1848 can say it protects its patrons from the moment they step into a railroad station and exit at whatever stop they make from the weather. They are protected right up to where they exit the ferry terminal in New York City. It seem that on going work keeps upgrading this first depot on Hudson. Now information found show the New Jersey Railroad will build a second depot across Hudson street replacing this first one but keeping the first and reusing it for freight service.
Now I have the information what will I do with it. I have selected 1841 and here is what I did with it.